Bible and video games: An inquiry into an academic terra incognita

At first sight, Bible and video games may seem an unlikely pair. Yet the digital playground is teeming with explicit and subtle references to biblical stories, motifs, and theological themes. From Bioshock Infinite to Cyberpunk 2077, from the modest titles of Wisdom Tree to the vast worlds of Mass Effect and Metro Exodus—Scripture continues to resonate within today’s interactive culture. This volume represents the first major attempt to systematically explore the relationship between the Bible and video games. For the first time, insights from biblical studies and game studies are brought together in an interdisciplinary dialogue. The contributions examine, among other things: • explicitly Christian “Bible games” and their theological implications; • biblical motifs of exile, redemption, and resistance in popular franchises; • the role of developers and players in shaping religious meaning; • innovative pedagogical approaches in which the Bible is rediscovered through play. Bible and Video Games demonstrates how sacred texts and digital worlds continually influence, challenge, and enrich one another. This volume not only charts an academic terra incognita, but also offers an invitation to further explore this emerging field of research. With contributions from international experts in theology, biblical studies, and game studies, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in religion, culture, and digital media.